When Rino Vari took the reins at a beloved West Footscray family fruit and vegetable business, he knew he had big shoes to fill. But as the family store celebrates 50 years in business this month, he tells Benjamin Millar how he draws on his father’s inspiration.
Where were you raised and what do you love best about the area?
I was born in Western General Hospital and raised in West Footscray. I’ve been here my whole life. For me growing up it was always a ‘real’ area, you were dealing with many different nationalities – I had friends who were Macedonian, Greek and you got to learn the different cultures.
What’s the biggest change you have seen in the area in your time?
It may have changed a little but I still love it. The multiculturalism has changed a little bit and there’s a different demographic, young professionals and a young, hip, trendy demographic. But it’s still a great place.
What do you think could make the area even better?
When people look at the western suburbs, West Footscray was always a good little area. One of the problems West Footscray has is the main shopping strip. Unfortunately we still have a problem with empty shops and shops not functioning how they could. People have wanted to do things but many landlords are asking for too much rent. For a long time we have wanted a bakery and a butcher back here, but it can be hard when supermarkets have a stranglehold on that sort of thing.
What’s your favourite memory of growing up in the area?
I really enjoyed interacting with my father but my greatest memory is dealing with the customers. Some of them have been coming here for 20 years. You’d have a Greek woman come in and you’d say ‘hello’ in Greek and make her day. We had a lot of Africans, from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, places that had some sort of Italian influence – Eritrea was a colony of Italy – and dad would speak with them and it was just really uplifting.
What’s the biggest challenge your business has faced or change it has made?
My dad twice did the hard yards during recession periods. I saw similar times about four years ago. I saw his work ethic and that’s what gets you through. The biggest challenge is when we went from being a street with four banks to having none. Pension day, which used to be our best day, became our worst day. One of my regulars asked one day if we could do organic fruit and veg boxes. I said if you can get two we can do it. That week we did 10. The next week we did 20, the next week 25, then 30, 40 and after it went on a Facebook page we hit 70 boxes. It just keeps growing.
Who or what inspires you?
My dad. We get along really well; we have pretty similar personalities. Our arguments won’t last more than half a day before I realise deep down through his actions how much he cares. We have a real respect for each other. I’m with my father every day. When Dad was younger he was very active and we would go to the market every morning. He worked very hard during an era where a lot of them did and some days he still puts us to shame. His generation is a different breed. I wouldn’t change anything about working with my father and my wife.
Vari’s Organics is at 590 Barkly Street, West Footscray.
